Ilhan Omar Calls for End to Al-Shabaab's Reign of Terror in Somalia

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar condemned the Al-Shabaab militant group, labeling them as the "cancer ruining the lives of millions of people in Somalia."

Omar expressed her heartbreak over the continued "senseless slaughter of innocent lives" in the country, calling for an end to the group's reign of terror.

"The people of Somalia need to rise against Al-Shabaab," Omar stated, emphasizing the urgent need for the Somali people to take a stand against the militant group. "Their reign of terror must come to an end."

The statement comes in the wake of Friday's attack in Mogadishu, where a suicide bomber and gunmen targeted a popular beach, killing at least 37 people and wounding over 247 others. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, which is the deadliest strike in the East African country in months.

Al-Shabaab has been waging an insurgency against the internationally backed federal government for more than 17 years and has previously targeted the Lido beach area, popular with business people and officials.

The group continues to carry out attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of the country, as the government presses on with an offensive against the Islamist militants.

Omar's call for the Somali people to unite against Al-Shabaab echoes the sentiments of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who last year declared a "total war" on the militants as the country started taking charge of its security.

GAROWE ONLINE